Exploring Institutional Measures of Mitigating Sexual Harassment Cases by Male Teachers: A Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Luapula Province
- July 15, 2021
- Posted by: rsispostadmin
- Categories: IJRISS, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue VI, June 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Justin Kapya Chilonga, and Harrison Daka
School of Education, University of Zambia, Lusaka
Abstract
Purpose: This paper seeks to present the study which was conducted to explore the institutional measures of mitigating sexual harassment cases by male teachers in Luapula province. The study was undertaken in the 5 randomly selected secondary schools across the province.
Design/methodology/approach: The study used qualitative paradigm in which descriptive survey design was ideal. The descriptive design was chosen in order to come up with more comprehensive, deeper insights from respondents so that a better understanding of the phenomenon under study is enhanced. The study was based on questionnaire and interview guide. Questionnaires were administered to 5 Head teachers, 5 Guidance and counseling teachers and 15 teachers while interview guide was used to collect data from 15 pupils.
Findings: The study revealed that, sexual harassment is a serious problem and its mitigation needs not only the attention of the head teacher but the collective effort with the teachers, pupils, stake holders and other interested parties who are involved in the provision of education.
Limitations of the study: The findings of the study focused on the role of the institutions in mitigating sexual harassment of female pupils by male teachers. The findings therefore, cannot be generalized to the male pupils and female teachers because this research only endeavored to address the issue that has raised serious concerns and has drawn the attention of the government, parents, stakeholders, organizations, civil societies and the world at large.
Practical implication: The practical implication is that if sexual harassment in schools is not mitigated, it can lead to psychological trauma in children who are subjected to it, it can also cause risk of death, poor physical and mental health, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection, early pregnancy, education problems, loneliness, vagrancy and poor parenting skills later in life. The institutions therefore, should fight hard and mitigate it.
Originality/value: The study supports previous studies which identified that sexual harassment is a serious social problem and advocated for its mitigation. However this paper highlights the divergence views of the respondents on the mitigation of sexual harassment, thereby highlighting on the need to establish policies, breaking the silence in schools and communities and instituting reporting laws on sexual harassment.
Key words: Sexual harassment, Mitigation, Institution, Deliberate policy.
Paper type: Research paper
Introduction: Sexual harassment is the act of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical contact of sexual nature such as seducing or touching in a way that may lead to sexual act (Menon, Glazebrook, Campain and Ngoma, 2007; Daka, Phiri, Chipindi and Nachimwenda, 2021 ). The study revealed that sexual harassment is a serious social problem because it affects the society and individual’s physical, cognitive, interpersonal and emotional function and can also lead to school dropout. According to Whitefield and Charles (2010), sexual harassment is one of the typical causes and dangers of psychological trauma and children who are subjected to it are at a risk of death, poor physical and mental health, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection, education problems, loneliness, vagrancy and poor parenting skills later in life. Sexual harassment can make children lose interest in education because they may dislike some subjects taught by the very teachers who perpetrate it and it can also make them live in perpetual fear of their persecutors. The United Nations Secretary General’s report (2006) revealed that,
